Hollywood megastar Brad Pitt talks ‘Bullet Train,’ his first lead role in three years

“Bullet Train” is Pitt’s first lead role in three years. (Supplied)
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Updated 28 July 2022
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Hollywood megastar Brad Pitt talks ‘Bullet Train,’ his first lead role in three years

  • The Hollywood actor used his real-life experience of therapy to inform his performance as an assassin trying to maintain inner peace

DUBAI: We all hit rock bottom at some point. If you’re Brad Pitt — perhaps the most famous actor on Earth — it’s just a lot more public. While the lows of Pitt’s personal-life may have been covered in painfully intimate detail on every gossip page going, his journey to self-betterment has been a lot more private. Over the last six years, he has done the work — exhaustively — and now, with “Bullet Train,” his first lead role in three years, he’s ready to make fun of it.

“I think that’s what drew me to the role, honestly,” Pitt tells Arab News. “This man who’s trying to grow — but also somewhat regressing — on his way to being a better person. My own experience with self-help and therapy allowed me to take the (mickey) out of that.

“There are moments when you have one epiphany and you think you have the whole egg figured out, and then you step in a pile of crap the next day. This was making fun of that, and I took great pleasure in it,” he continues.




Brad Pitt accepting the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2020. (Supplied)

Pitt is, of course, one of the world’s premiere box-office draws and has been for 30-odd years. He’s one of Hollywood’s most-admired actors too, and received the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2020 for his role in the Quentin Tarantino film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” in which he played the stunt double for a famous actor.

It’s fitting, then, that he’s followed that up by teaming up with his old stunt double David Leitch, who stood in for Pitt on films including “Fight Club,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” and “Troy” back in the 90s and early 2000s and has gone on to become one of the most sought-after directors in the world, helming “John Wick,” “Deadpool 2,” “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbes and Shaw,” and now “Bullet Train.”

“We saw that relationship in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,’ and it’s not untrue that actors and their stunt doubles can have great bonds. Brad and I had that. We were friends,” says Leitch. “Now, we’ve come full circle where I’m at a place in my career where I’m an artist too, and he appreciates my work. I, of course, already appreciated his work. Doing this together was such a great experience.”




Brad Pitt and David Leitch promoting “Bullet Train” in France in July. (Getty Images)

“It was really nice to come back together with him, but this time with him as the boss,” says Pitt.

“Bullet Train” is based on a best-selling Japanese novel. It tells the story of five assassins who all find themselves on the express train from Tokyo to Morioka with little chance of them all surviving to the end. Pitt plays ‘Ladybug,’ a perennially unlucky man fresh off a mental-health sabbatical who is trying to keep his inner calm in a situation that refuses to allow it, spouting as many positive aphorisms as he can muster.

“Ladybug’s lines really do sound like a 22-year-old going through a self-discovery,” Pitt’s co-star Joey King says to him.

“Exactly. The sad thing is, that's pretty much where I am in life,” Pitt replies.

Pitt and company shot the film during lockdown in 2020. While “Bullet Train” is set in Japan, it was shot on a single soundstage in southern California, inside a purpose-built train set that was flanked on either side by LED screens that showed footage shot on the actual bullet train in Japan. It was so realistic that some people on set reportedly got motion sickness.

For Pitt, the film wasn’t just a chance to reconnect with his old friend Leitch, it was also an opportunity to create a surrogate family to help each other through the crushing loneliness of COVID isolation, with each taking turns trying to make the others break into laughter and ruin another take with constant improvisation.

“This was pre-vaccination, so we had all these protocols and gauntlets we had to run through just to be able to shoot this. We were essentially in a bubble. It worked because of the high degree of talent everyone had, which led to so many good laughs,” says Pitt.

Pitt even recruited some of his own friends to come along, including Sandra Bullock, whom he called up personally to ask her to appear in the film.




“Bullet Train” is set in Japan. (Supplied)

“Sandy is a dear old friend; someone I can call on for any favor and she's always there. She'll drop whatever she's doing, she's done me some really big favors,” says Pitt. “When this came along, we thought it'd be really cool to call her again for another favor. She did it, but this time she said I had to do something in return — which is how I ended up appearing in her enchanting film ‘The Lost City.’ I liked this idea that we could cross-pollinate each other’s projects.”

Beyond the jokes, the self-deprecation, and the reunions with old friends, Pitt even quietly found himself connecting with the deeper themes of the seemingly wacky action comedy.

“There’s this undercurrent that questions the nature of fate, and the constant battle between self-will and manifestation versus the larger powers at play. That really hit me. It was combined, of course, with the David Leitch language of filmmaking — this mashup of comedy and ultra-violence,” says Pitt.

Pitt wasn’t just focused on himself, however. Part of his journey, both professionally and personally, has been to establish meaningful connections with others and to help raise them up, whether they be people he meets briefly or his co-stars. In a quiet way, it may be his life’s mission at this point.

King, for example, found in Pitt a true mentor, she says. As a 22-year-old Hollywood sensation with nearly 20 million followers on Instagram, King was grateful to have someone to help her navigate the increasingly complicated contours of fame at a time when apps such as TikTok have made things more emotionally taxing for megastars than ever before.

“I was going through a tough time one day, and I was expressing that to some of my castmates. Brad is someone who has been through a lot in his life. He’s been around the block. I was very lucky to have someone like him, with his life experience — specifically his experience with people having opinions about his life,” King tells Arab News. “It was really helpful to hear from someone like him about why that noise should be drowned out and how he does it. It was really, really nice to talk to someone like that.”

And Pitt’s performance in “Bullet Train” contains a lesson for us all: Not to take ourselves too seriously.

“I play a chump,” he says. “And the chump is the most fun role to play, hands down.”


Saudi-shot action thriller ‘Seven Dogs’ drops first-look images

Updated 18 March 2025
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Saudi-shot action thriller ‘Seven Dogs’ drops first-look images

DUBAI: First images for Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah Saudi-shot action thriller “Seven Dogs” have dropped as the production shoots outside the capital of Riyadh.

The $40 million project from the “Bad Boys for Life” directorial duo is being shot at the newly inaugurated Alhisn Big Time Studios in Riyadh, one of the Middle East and North Africa region’s biggest film and television production facilities, with additional filming at Riyadh Boulevard. Riyadh will also serve as a stand-in for multiple international cities, including Mumbai and Shanghai.

Karim Abdel Aziz and Ahmed Ezz on set. (Supplied)

The thriller is based on an original story by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

Egyptian stars Karim Abdel Aziz (“The Blue Elephant,” “Kira & El Gin,” “Abu Ali”) and Ahmed Ezz (“Kira & El Gin,” “The Cell,” “Welad Rizk”) headline the action film.

Ezz plays Interpol officer Khalid Al-Azzazi who apprehends Ghali Abu Dawood (Aziz), a high-ranking member of the clandestine global crime syndicate known as Seven Dogs. A year later, the organization resurfaces, trafficking a dangerous new drug — Pink Lady — across the Middle East.

With time running out, Khalid reluctantly joins forces with Ghali, the only person with intimate knowledge of the syndicate’s operations. Their uneasy alliance propels them on a high-stakes mission across multiple global cities as they strive to dismantle the organization and prevent the drug from flooding Arab streets.

“Seven Dogs” is slated for a late 2025 release.
 


Zuhair Murad unveils Marina Rinaldi collection inspired by the Tang dynasty

Updated 18 March 2025
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Zuhair Murad unveils Marina Rinaldi collection inspired by the Tang dynasty

DUBAI: Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad has unveiled his latest collaboration with Italian label Marina Rinaldi. Murad designed the brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 capsule collection inspired by China’s Tang dynasty. 

Drawing from the dynasty’s introduction of peony cultivation in imperial gardens, Murad infused the collection with images of the flower.

The collection focuses largely on eveningwear.

The collection focuses largely on eveningwear. (Supplied)

“Grand evening gowns go beyond the pure object, they are a way of investing in one’s personal history,” the designer said in a released statement. True to his signature style, the collection features hourglass silhouettes and intricate hand-embroidered details.

The collection’s color palette mirrors another element of Tang dynasty artistry — delicate chinaware. Soft shades of cream, sky blue, aquamarine green and pink infuse the flowing chiffon gowns, pleated bodices and long plisse skirts. 

“These looks wrap and enhance all women,” said Murad, highlighting the collection’s inclusive and flattering designs. The pieces are crafted from a mix of luxurious fabrics, including cady, pure silk georgette and shimmering sequins hand-sewn onto tulle to create a wave effect.

This is Murad’s second collection for Marina Rinaldi. (Supplied)

The silhouettes range from semi-fitted bodices that gently flare out to rich, flowing kaftans adorned with peony motifs. The collection also features long-sleeved gowns with deep V-necklines that emphasize the waist, along with sleek trouser suits for a modern touch.

The Tang dynasty ruled china from 618 to 907, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. The period was known for its flourishing arts and culture scene, with imperial ceremonies reviving the practice of hosting orchestras and companies of dancers. China in this period was also open to outside influences as as Arabian and Persian seamen did trade in the area.

This is Murad’s second collection for Marina Rinaldi that merges historical influences with contemporary fashion. 

The designer has been recognized for his detailed craftsmanship in haute couture and bridal fashion. Since founding his brand in 1997, he has gained international attention. His creations have been worn by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Sofia Vergara, Blake Lively, Kristen Stewart, and Scarlett Johansson on major red carpets. 

He is also one of a handful of Arab designers on the official Paris Fashion Week and Paris Haute Couture Week calendars.


May Calamawy promotes indie film ‘The Actor’

Updated 17 March 2025
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May Calamawy promotes indie film ‘The Actor’

DUBAI: Egyptian Palestinian actress May Calamawy took to social media this week to promote her latest film, “The Actor.”

The actress, who previously took on a leading role in Marvel series “Moon Knight,” stars alongside US actor Andre Holland and English actress Gemma Chan in the indie film.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by May Calamawy (@calamawy)

“Had the BEST TIME with everyone on #TheActor, showing in select theatres today  (sic),” Calamawy wrote on Instagram alongside a carousel of behind-the-scenes images from the set of the film.

The movie follows fictional actor Paul Cole who is beaten and left for dead in 1950s era Ohio.  He loses his memory and finds himself stranded in a mysterious small town where he struggles to get back home to New York and reclaim what he has lost.

The film was directed by Duke Johnson, co-produced by “Suits” alum Abigail Spencer and executive produced by Ryan Gosling. The film was scripted by Johnson and Stephen Cooney and is based on the bestselling novel “Memory” by Donald E. Westlake.

Calamawy is known for her roles in US Netflix series “Ramy” and “Moon Knight” (2022), where she plays dual characters Layla El-Faouly  and the Scarlet Scarab.

She made headlines in late 2024 when almost all her scenes were cut from Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II,” with fans taking to social media to complain.

Her casting in the film was first announced in May 2023.

At the time, Deadline reported that Scott had cast Calamawy after a lengthy search, writing: “While many of the leading roles were straight offers, Scott wanted to do a similar search he did for the (Paul) Mescal part for the role that Calamawy ultimately landed.

“Given the importance of the character to the story, Scott wanted a thorough search, and following multiple auditions Calamawy landed the part,” Deadline added.

However, fans noticed that in the final cut, which hit cinemas in November, Calamawy is only seen in passing and she has no dialogue. Scott did not comment on Calamawy’s removal from the two hour and 28-minute film.


Farjana Salahuddin explores AI, tradition through interactive installation in Qatar

Updated 17 March 2025
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Farjana Salahuddin explores AI, tradition through interactive installation in Qatar

DOHA: Artists from around the world are showcasing their work in Qatar at “Ai or Nay? Artificial vs. Intelligent,” an exhibition running until May 15 at Doha’s Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University.

The show features more than 20 installations by international artists exploring themes of artificial intelligence, creativity and identity. Among the contributors is Doha-based Bangladeshi artist Farjana Salahuddin, whose interactive installation “Patterned Deserts: Where AI and Traditions Meet” is a key highlight.

The experiential piece invites visitors to run their fingers through sand, encouraging them to reflect on the dynamic relationship between human creativity and technological advancement, Salahuddin said. As they move their fingers, shapes and lines form in response to their touch.

“It’s an interactive, sensory experience where people can connect with the piece and move their fingers through the sand,” Salahuddin told Arab News. “It’s a way to contemplate how much impact we’re really having, or whether technology is taking over all aspects of our lives.”

Inspired by natural elements such as desert roses and shells, the installation blends human-made forms with tech-driven designs. “Sometimes the sand follows your movements, but other times it moves on its own,” Salahuddin said. “This reflects how technology is evolving, sometimes complementing us and other times taking its own course.”

The interactive media artist, who was raised in Doha, drew inspiration from the city’s changing landscapes. “Doha is my home and it is transforming so much. In some places, you'll see that their identity is completely changing, and it’s all steel and glass,” she explained. 

“But then in some other places, we are trying to preserve the meaning in so many different ways, like the National Museum. It is such a contemporary place. So, we can build contemporary things, while keeping our identity in place as well.” 


Ikram Abdi spotted at Moncler show in French ski resort

Updated 16 March 2025
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Ikram Abdi spotted at Moncler show in French ski resort

DUBAI: Swedish Somali model Ikram Abdi attended the Moncler Grenoble Fall/Winter 2025 runway show in Courchevel, France, on Saturday, as Saudi Arabia-based model Georgina Rodriguez hit the snowy catwalk.

Courchevel is a French Alps ski resort located in the Tarentaise Valley. It is a part of Les Trois Vallées, the largest linked ski area in the world.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Moncler (@moncler)

“The energy of winter sports, the warmth and joy of experiences shared on the snow, and the brand’s dedication to dressing all aspects of mountain life, combining high performance and high style, will be celebrated with a memorable brand experience at high altitude,” Moncler said in a statement released in December, before the unusual runway location was unveiled.

Fast forward to March 15 and the luxury label invited the who’s who of Hollywood to the resort’s snow-capped peaks as models walked a landing strip-turned-runway in a flurry of snow.

Abdi was joined by actress Ashley Park, Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, actress Jessica Chastain and South Korean star Lee Jae-wook, among others.

Jessica Chastain at the show. (Getty Images)

While the star-studded audience took in the show, Rodriguez walked the runway in a chunky knitted look complete with knee-high, fur-lined boots.

The model, who is the longtime partner of football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, has modelled for luxury brands before and was recently spotted sitting front row at Lebanese label Elie Saab’s Paris Fashion Week.

Rodriguez walked the runway in a chunky knitted look complete with knee-high, fur-lined boots. (Instagram)

Elie Saab’s Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 collection transported the Paris Fashion Week audience to the world’s most exclusive mountain retreats, where relaxed glamour meets alpine allure.

At the show in March, Rodriguez wore a pristine white outfit that was in tune with Saab’s alpine theme. The ensemble featured a luxurious, textured top adorned with delicate feather-like details, adding a touch of avant-garde flair.

Rodriguez also recently joined forces with Lebanese dance group Mayyas, who won the 17th season of “America's Got Talent,” for a new campaign released earlier this month.

They starred in an advertisement for Egyptian real estate company Horizon Egypt Developments, where Rodriguez and the Mayyas promote Saada, a real estate development in New Cairo in Egypt.

For her part, Abdi, who posed for photographs at Moncler’s latest show, made her catwalk debut in 2018 during London Modest Fashion Week. She went on to walk for the likes of Iceberg and Charles Jeffrey and she has fronted campaigns for major international brands, including Burberry and Nike.